Casing-spear



within the length of the slips orV casing en- Y of this disclosure.

WILrLiAii/r n.. jouir;

To @all whom t may concern.' A f Be it -knowntliat L WILLIAM E. YonLn, acitizen ofthe United States, residing at VLos Angeles, county of LosAngeles, State.

of California, have inventeda new 'and usefulCasingSpear, of-'which the following is a specification. 'i f i' fr This invention relates to casing spears' of the class'commonly used in connection with deep wells for the purpose of'removing casing from a'v well or for loosening Vit and perniittingit to be shifted. Y

1 The object of theinvention'is to provide acasing-spear' which engages approximately the entire inner periphery ofl the casing gaging jaws andisode'signed and constructedkthat said slips kmay bernade of any' desiredl length .without weakening the shankyofthespe'ar.

Another' object isl to provide a `casing;

sociated 'with the shank and capableof reiiioval forpermitting a I'disassemblingo f the slips from'the shank.

l A1 further object .istoiprovide 'tension means for normalizing the4 slips,y releasable during a casing gripping operation of the Y slips for subsequentfunctioning when the' slips disengagethe casing.

W'th these and incidental objects view` the invention consists of certain novel fea'- -tures of construction.v and combination of parts, the essential elements 4of which are set forth in the appended claims and apreferred form fof embodiment of which :is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings whichfaccompany and forni part In thedrawings:

lFigure l is an elevation ofmyliinproved' casing-spear .shown within a wellV casing,

Y Withthepartsin. theposition theyr occupy Vwhen the spear is being lowered to positionY -within the well.; f t

F ig. .2 isan enlarged sectionon line z-f" of Fig. V1. Y t

Fig. ,3 isa section Y ing the spear in casing gripping position with -the Yslip elevator released for. subsequent slip normalizing operation.

rigi is -section, similari@ Fig'. 2 shew'.

orros ANGELES. CAL-TF9 HOLBROQK, or Los.ANeELESaQALIFORNe the casing an similar to Figi. 2 showjjeiisrNe-srnniaf ing the slips,releasedffroin-engageinentwith l d normalized; by- .the slip ele-V vator. .a

Fig. 5 is .a transverse 00L-m5 of Fig. 2. w

FigjG is a transverse: section Von line mfof Fig.2.

Fig.` L7 is a transverse section onl line Fig. 8 a transverse section on. line #+328 of digf2..

`section. gon. line.

Riv-rn, Assielvono'n oivnii'arriro J.Y

' specifiqatipnbfrttersatentf I atentedliay "10, 1,921'. I' Application med september 27. isisrf-seiaiiio. 326,952. f

Fig. 9 is adetail kperspective*front view of l* one ofthe slips, `and Fig. l0 is aldetailed perspective rear view' of one ofthe slips.

[70.V A wellcasingfbeingpackedfin the wellfvv by anenciifcling packing device'is heldifirmly; therein, andy inlorder'toremove it'f when .the usual types of Apackersareiised,V

y, it is necessary to jaren the" casing until'the packer is broken .or torn loose before' .the easingcan be moved. ."A'Vcasingfspear suitl able for this purposef must have fgreat strength relative to itsy sizefand the shank Vthereof must be';of as" large a diameteras possible and free from weakeningfslots; orV orificesy Also, as the applied powers at times amountsto several tons, the slips or gripping jaws should engage a relatively large area ofthe easing, espeeiallyflllsome instances where the/casing is old andweak-- y ened, as in such instances the casing .would Vbe ruptured by a more .localized slipfenseeelilnt# The casing,g'speai1 herein illustratedland describedfis designed to provide a maximum 'areal' ofcasing engaging lslip area and; a

- of the shank.

Vsolidshank47k theslips beingretainedv in Qposi- Referring-l toV the drawings, `A designates f` spear .which :is attached-.to theend of a string of tools in the `usual manner. f

The shank l ofthe spearis providedwithY two: relatively Y spaeed annular iianges .2f-3,'-

theinterrnediate portion@ being square; in

.crosssectiom and Vformed to provide afplutinefd centrally.' relative 'to the ,companiony cani s i'irfaces of the shank withfkey-ways a well. .easing, and B'designates'the ca'singion ` 7-7 cutV inY theopposed sidewalls` of eachf slot.: y,The lowerflange' 3 isprovided-with'.V annular radial lslots 9 e relatively v"alined ,',withj the slots 6 ofthe upper'iiange2 and with similarfkey-ways lO-l() cut in their opposed side walls. The keyways of each 'relatively --alined pair ofslots 6 and 9 and the com- ,'panion serie'rslof' cam surfaces ofthe shankarev all correspondingly angularlydisposed.

Coperating' with the shank areY four ltoothed slipsk orvgripping.l jaws l2 having outer` conveX toothedsurfaces Aapproximately correspondingin contour tothe inner peripheryof'the well casing and cirl5- cumferentially extended'to form asubstan- .tially complete'circle, lThe inner surface of each Slip is formed with a series ofinclined camr .surfaces A.13 correspondingly angularly disposed relative to the cooperating series of Acompanion camsurfaces 5 of the shank and the opposedterminal ends ofeach slip' j aref.formedftosprovide relatively alined Y guide'tongues 14e-l5 adapted :to engage 'Y yinto the respective guide-,slots 6 and 9 ofthe @flanges 2-3 'of the shank. -Projecting laterally vfrom the tongues let-l5 I provide *keys l6-f16" and-#17-17 engaging respecf abutment surfaces `18l8which are l'posi-V tively with 1 the V'key-ways 7--7 and 10-10 ofthe flanges 2 vand `-"Adjacent the lower tonguel, the/body portion ofeach slip=`isformed to provide y tioned toengage the-upper surface of the i kshank flange v3 tolimit the downward move- 1355' mentof the slip. vThe upper end of the body portion of `each slip is provided with-A similar abutment 'surfaces 19-19 which are adapted toy engage abutment bolts- 20,'screwl I threaded intothe upper flange-2, to limit the upwardfmoveme'nt of the slips.

*'Thisconstruction provides va plurality of slips havingfa maximum area of 4casing enaspring 30r is interposed between said col- -larand'the collar or elevator 26. The coll l 'flar 29 has an annular groove 31V formed in gaging toothed' surfaces and which can be e extended to any desired length without any reduction in the cross sectional 'areay of any portion ofthe main shank ofthe spear. They slips arefaccuratelyv guided at their terminal' 4 ends fand vfare -retained againstv Y lateralfdisplaeement v'by Vthe intermeshing keys and! keyways,` with the movementsA of the Slips limited in both atacadas by uw ing abutmel'lts; l 'L .n

j '-"Slidable-on; the lower portion 25,-0f the shank is annular collar 26 vofxa' diameter sufficient to engage the lower ends of all of theslips and serving as'a slip Yelevator for normalizing the i'slipsf'preparatory to V"a withdrawal of thespear Afrom the casing.. e nut 27 is screwfthreadedon the 'lower endof therpshank and-a transversepnv28 prevents ani accidental displacement thereof.` Resting on the'nut 27 is a colla-r 29 and `collar 29.

its under surfacek and adapted to be engaged, when the spring 30 is compressed,

by a latch 32'havinga hook'nose 33 and ad? justably mounted' on the elevator 26. The

latchy 32 is formedof spring metal and has atension normally tending to maintain the latclivin disengaged position.

moved farther upward, from the normal position shown in Fig. 4l, if it were not for the fact that the abutment @bolts 2O prei it viii be notai that the Slips t'ouiftifbe vented such additional movement. This eXJ tra movement is provided for a. disassem? bling of the Vslips from theshank, vwhich is accomplished in the following manner.

VJThe slips are allowed'to `drop until the abutment Surfaces lS-lS rest upon the upp'er'surfaceof the flange 3 rand the boltsy 20 vare removed 'from the flange 2. The slips can then be raised until the abutment sur# faces 19-19 contactethe under surfacevof the flangc2 at which timefthe keys/16-l6 and l7l7 ofthe slips are entirely .disengaged from their companion'key-wayspermitting the slips to be laterally removed from the shank. The slips arev assembled onthe shank in a converse manner. e

`The operation of the'spearf will now be described, assuming that the slips are prop-l erly assembled on the shank andjbeginning with the preparatory setting ofthe slip elevator.y In setting the slip elevator, the

collar 26 ispushed downwardly7 by suitable n means, yto compress the spring 30 until the nose 33`of'the spring latch 32 is in a position tobe engaged'with the groove 31 of the Thel latch will then be pressed inwardlyl into engagement with said groove to hold the elevator 26 in lowered position with the spring 430 maintained under tension. f The spear is now readyto be lowered into the well casing.

themselves to any inequalities in the-'diam-v eterof the casing. Y(See Fig-'1.)

AWhen the spear. has been lowered to a position lwhere it isv desired to engage the casing, the operator causes an'iipward pull tobe exerted on the stringoftools, and by such upward'pull the' spear shanky will be elevated relative to the slips, the inclined kcam surfaces-,of the shank Vacting upon the 'As ythe spear` isf lowered, the slips being 'freely movable on their 'inclined seats, readily accommodate iis e ,fianrsurfaceaa plurality Of'toothel Slips intermediate inclined cam surfaces, with keyways cut in the walls of the slots, a

plurality vof toothed slips each having a' series of inclined cam surfaces for coperation with'the companion series of cam surfaces of the shank and opposed tongues slidable in the guide. slots, the slips being formedwith movement limiting abutment'.V surfaces and the tongues havingy keys cooperating with the key-ways, ,with the key of the upper` tongues spaced from'pthe adjacent abutmentsurfaces to permit a lateral movement,l of theslips, and removable abutment; elements associated with the upper flange andpreventing disengagement of the keys lfrom the slots.

' l0. A casing-spear having a square solid imperforateshank with each side lformed to provide a series of inclined yplane cam sur-, faces, and four one piece htoothed, slips freely,l

slidable onthe shank and, each, having a series of. inclined plane cani surfaces and slidably retained Y upon the shank with" their cam i surfaces coperating Ywith the com-V panion series of cam surfaces ofthe shank.

11.`AV casing-spear combining a shank `having a squaredy portion with each side formed toprovide a series ofinclinedcam i surfaces, four toothed, slips each having a .30

retained upon the shank with their cam series ofinclined cam surfacesand slidably surfaces coperating :with the ycompanion cam surfaces ofthe shank, a slip elevator L sudati@ on. the Shank :below the Snps, a

spring f forsaid elevator, and means normally maintaining said spring under ten-v vsion and releasable by an upward movement of theshank relative to the elevator..

l12.,Azcasing-spear ,having a.V shank provided .kiwith a plurality ofy series of inclined normally maintaining' said springunder tension and releasable by an upward movement of the shank vrelative to the elevator.

y 13. A casing-spear having al shank' provided with a plurality of series of inclined cam surfaces, plurality ofY toothed slips Y 1 yeach having. a series yof inclined cam surf faces for coperation with the companion seriesv ofl camsurfaces of the shank and abutment surfaces coperating with the shank to limit the movement of the slip, ya slip'elevato'r slidable on the shank Ybelow the'slips, a springfor said elevator, and means normally .maintaining said spring under tension and releasable by an upward Amovement, yof" the shank relativeto theelevator. y A:

14. A casingspear having i a y"shank, prio` vided withv a plurality of series of inclined ycalin surfaces and relatively alined guide slots, a plurality of toothed slips each hav- Ilga series -of inclined caml surfaces for cooperation with the companion series of cam surfaces of the shank and opposed tongues coperating with the alined guide slots, a slip elevator slidable on the shank below the slips, afspring for ysaid elevator, and means normallyrmaintaining said spring under tension and releasable by an upward movementy of the shank relative to the elevator; y

r15V. A casing-spear having a shank provided with relatively spaced annular flanges havingk relatively alined guide slots and a plurality offseries of intermediate inclined cam surfaces, a plurality of toothed slips each having a series' of inclined cam surfaces forycoperation with the companion yseries of cam surfaces ofthe shankA and opposed tongues coperating with the alined guide slots, a slip elevator slidable on` the shank below the slips, a spring for said elevator,- and means normally maintaining said-spring under tension and releasable by an upward movement of the shank relative to the elevator; i V l i 16A casing-spear having a shank pro.- vided with ,relativelyy spaced annular flanges *having relatively alined guide slots and a plurality of series of intermediate, inclined ycam surfaces, aplurality of toothed slips each having a series of inclined surfaces for cooperation with the companion series of cam lsurfacesof 'the shank and opposed tongues coperating with the alined guide slots,fsaid slips also having abutment surfaces coperating with the shank to limit thefmovements of the slips, arslip elevator slida-ble on the shank rbelow the slips, a spring Vfor ysaid elevator, and means norymallyl maintaining said spring under tension and releasable by an upward movement of the shank relative to the elevator.

f 17. A casing-spear having a shank provided with a' plurality of series of inclined cam surfaces and relatively alined guide slots with key-ways cut in the walls of the slotsa plurality of toothed slips each having'a series of inclined cam surfaces for cooperation with the companion series of cam su'r'facesof the shank and opposed tongues coperating 'Mwith vthe, guide slots, each tongue vhaving ia key coperating` with the companion key-way, a slip elevator slidable o Il the shank below the slips, a spring for said elevator, and means normally maintaining said spring under tension and releasable` by an upward movement of the shank relative tothe elevator. p r"18..A casing-spear having a shank provided with a plurality of series of inclined surfaces and relatively alined guide vslots with key-waysv cut in the walls of the slots, a plurality of toothed slips each hav- K ing a series of inclined cam :surfaces for cooperation with the companion seriesA of cam surfaces of the shankand opposed tongues cooperating with the guide slots, each tongue having a key coperating with the companion key-way, kremovable means preventing disengagement of the keys from the key-ways, a slip elevator slidable on the shank below the slips, a spring for said elevator, and means normally maintaining 'said spring under tension and releasable by an upward movement of the shank relative to the elevator. c i

19. A casing-spear having a shankprovided with relatively spaced radially slotted annular flanges and a plurality of series of intermediate inclined cam surfaces, with key-ways cut in the wallsl of the slots, a plurality of toothed slips each having a series of inclined cam surfaces for cooperation with the companion series of ycam surfaces of the shank and opposed tongues cooperating with the guide slots, the slips being formed with movement limiting abutment surfaces adapted to engage the shank anges and the tongues having keys coperating with the key-ways, with the keys of the upper tongues spaced fromthe adjacent abutment surfaces to permit a lateral movement of the slips, a slip elevator slidable on the shank below the slips, a spring for said elevator, and means normally maintainingsaid spring under tension and releasable by an upward movement of the shank relative to the elevator.

20. A casing-spear'having a shank provided with relatively spaced radially slotted annular lianges and a plurality of series of intermediate inclined cam surfaces, with keyeways cut in the walls of the slots, a plu-k rality of toothed slips-each having a 'series of inclined camV surfaces for cooperation with the companion series of cam surfaces of the shank and opposed tongues slidable 1n the guide slots, the slips being formed with movement limiting abutment surfaces and thel tongues having keys cooperating with the key-ways, with the keys kof therupper tongues spaced from the adjacent abutment surfaces to permit a lateral movement of the slips, removable abutment elements associated with the upper flange and preventing disengagement of the keys from the slots, a slip elevator slidable on the shank below the slips, a spring for said elevator, and means normally maintaining said spring under tension and releasable by an upward movement of the shank relative to the elevator.

' 21. A casing-spear having a shank provided with relatively spaced radially slotted annular flanges, with key-ways cut in the walls of said slots and a plurality of inclined cam surfaces formed on Vthe shank intermediate Vsaid anges, and a plurality of toothed slips slidable on the shank and cooperating with the companion cam surfaces, each slip terminating with relatively alined tongues engaging their companion slots and each tongue having transversely disposed keys engaging their companion key-ways 22. A casing-spear having` a shank pro- ,vided with relatively spaced radially slotted annular flanges with key-ways cut in the,

walls yof said slots and a plurality Vof-in- .clined cam surfaces formed on the shank intermediate said flanges, a plurality of toothed slips slidable on the shank and cooperating with the companion cam surfaces, eachslip terminating with relatively aline'd tongues engaging their companion slots and each tongue having transversely disposed keys engaging their companion key-ways, a slip elevator slidable on the shank below Vthe slips, a spring for said elevator, andV means normally maintaining said spring under tension and releasable by an upward y movement of the shank relative to the eleengageapproximately the entire inner circumference of a casing throughout their length, each slip independentlyy coperating with the shank to be transversely moved thereby to casing engaging position.

ySigned at Los Angeles, California, this i 19th day of September, 1919.

' WILLIAM E. YOULE.

V Witnesses:

CLARENCE B. FOSTER, E. G. BLAsDEL. 

